Impact of cultural biases on leadership disposition among the youth of the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Techiman Municipality, Ghana

Abstract

Leadership plays a critical role in shaping the trajectory of human societies, particularly within religious, organizational, and communal structures. This study investigates the influence of cultural biases on youth leadership disposition within the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the Techiman South District of Ghana. Although biblical principles advocate for servant leadership, inclusivity, and humility (Mark 10:42–45), prevailing cultural norms often constrain youth participation in leadership roles, particularly along lines of gender, social status, and traditional expectations. Quantitative research design was used to collect data from four major churches in the district. Techiman Central, Amo Memorial Seventh-day Adventist Church (AMSDA), Forikrom Central, and Bamiri. Through questionnaires administered to a purposive sample of 400 respondents, the findings revealed that cultural biases significantly influenced youth leadership dispositions, despite an overall positive orientation among youth toward leadership. Respondents perceived the youth as demonstrating strong cognitive, affective, and behavioral competencies, including critical thinking, adaptability, and problem-solving skills, though some variability in cognitive skills was noted. The study underscores the church’s influential role in shaping leadership perceptions and practices and recommends the implementation of targeted interventions to address structural cultural biases, particularly in the areas of power distance, perceived competence, and in-group favoritism. Identifying the cultural biases influencing leadership disposition among the youth is instrumental in tailoring youth development strategies. The data were further used to design and evaluate a program aimed at mitigating these biases, with the analysis revealing both the program's strengths and areas for improvement in enhancing youth leadership capacity.